Black Tie in the Sky

Etihad Airways' first-class suites                                                                 AFP

Sure, most U.S. airlines and the cheap-o puddle jumpers in Europe have cut back amenities to the point where you might have to buy bathroom tokens soon, but that kind of (mis)treatment may not fly much longer. Competition from mainly Middle Eastern and Asian carriers catering to their demanding and growing first-class clientele may force everyone to kick it back up a notch ~ in every class: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/b710db84-74a0-11e4-b30b-00144feabdc0.html
   If you want a peek at how 1 percent of the 1 percent will be traveling starting Dec. 27, check out Etihad Airways, which is introducing a class above first, called Residence (that's a clue): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/53263/etihads-residence-the-worlds-best-first-class-cabin.html